Shiv Sena mouthpiece creates ripples in BJP

Maharashtra BJP General Secretary Vinod Tavadeon Thursdayexpressed "strong displeasure" at the news item on the front page of Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' in which it has described BJP President Nitin Gadkari as a "killer of alliance", while terming late Pramod Mahajan as the "architect of the alliance".

The news item in Saamana, which appeared on the daily's front page, also said the ripples were felt countrywide after the electronic media flashed the news item about the breaking of the 22-year-old Sena-BJP alliance. The news item described Mr Gadkari as "the rock" and further narrated that the strong alliance was dashing against it.

Mr Tavadesaid that there was no threat to the saffron alliance, which had so far contested seven Lok Sabha and four legislative assembly elections together apart from their alliance for nearly every local body polls.

"We are stressing our claim for the Chimur seat from Vidarbha as we feel that BJP is in a position to defeat former Sena MLA Vijay Vadettiwar, a Narayan Rane supporter who had criticised Sena chief Bal Thackeray," Mr Tavade said.

He also said the alliance which came together on the common cause of 'Hindutva' would not break on one seat, particularly against the backdrop of Maharashtra being targetted by the terrorists and farmers commiting suicides while the government was doing nothing.

"In this situation, there is a need of strong opposition and the alliance would continue," Mr Tavade reiterated.

When contacted senior Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said: "We will continue to stake our claim on Chimur seat and we want that BJP should give up their claim for us."

Tension continued to prevail in the Sena-BJP alliance over claiming of the seat in the forthcoming by-elections, which are scheduled to be heldin November.

On Wednesday, the Sena leaders said they would continue to stake their claim on Chimur constituency and it was also stated that Sena chief would clarify his stand on the issue within a couple of days.